Ornamental Indian corn is found in many homes as a rustic Thanksgiving decoration. But what is Indian corn? Another name for Indian corn is flint corn because the kernels are so hard. It is also called calico corn because of its colors. It is one of the oldest varieties of corn and has been grown by …
Vegetables
Growing butternut pumpkins in a home vegetable garden is easy to do. This versatile vegetable is delicious and packed with nutrients. Butternut pumpkin is a type of winter squash, which means that the skin is hard and the fruit can be stored for several months after harvest. It is planted in spring and harvested in …
If you are looking for an easy-to-grow vegetable, ranking second in popularity after tomatoes, try growing green beans. Green beans are also called French beans, string beans, and snap beans. They come in two types – bush beans and pole beans. Snap beans are a great vegetable for beginning gardeners. Even kids can get involved. …
Green beans are a popular vegetable garden plant, second only to tomatoes in popularity. However, before you decide to grow them, it’s important to understand the differences between pole beans vs. bush beans. There are many varieties of green beans, but all can be categorized into one of two ways: bush beans or pole beans. …
What are portobello mushrooms? This question may pop up for people new to gourmet cooking, or those seeking healthy diet options. Portobello mushrooms belong to a family of mushrooms known as Agaricus bisporus, which includes portobello, cremini, and white button mushrooms. When left to grow, white button mushrooms will spread out and develop a large …
As the heat of summer approaches, many vegetable gardeners face a familiar problem – tomato sunscald. This phenomenon, caused by too much sunlight and made worse by improper pruning practices, can pose a significant threat to your tomato yields. Tomato plants love sunlight, but sometimes it can be a case of “too much of a …
Tomato blossom drop is a problem that many vegetable gardeners experience, particularly those in hot climates. If fact, a common question that I get from my readers in the warmer states is “Why is my tomato plant dropping its flowers?” You’ve nurtured your tomato plants with care, eagerly expecting to get a harvest of luscious, …
Growing zucchini (AKA summer squash) involves selecting the right variety, spacing plants correctly and being effective with pest control. Otherwise, most gardeners will tell you that zucchini almost grows itself! Be careful though! Your neighbors might have to lock their door when they see you coming over with armfuls of zucchini! Growing summer squash will …
Growing tomatoes in pots can be a space-saving way to enjoy fresh homegrown tomatoes, especially if you have a small space for gardening. Tomato container gardening is perfect for apartment dwellers or those without access to a traditional garden. This method will let you to grow delicious tomatoes on patios, balconies, rooftops, or even windowsills. …
When to plant peas depends on your local climate and the type of peas that you plan to grow. However, as a general rule, peas are cool-season crops that like cooler temperatures for germination and to start growing. There is even a gardening saying “plant peas when daffodils or forsythia bloom.” This tells us clearly …
Heirloom pumpkins are an exciting choice for beginning gardeners. Unlike the typical orange pumpkins that we all love to carve, heirlooms offer a fascinating variety of new pumpkins to choose from. These pumpkins are often prized for their unique shapes, colors, flavors, and historical significance. Keep reading to discover what makes heirloom pumpkins so special. …
Few things are more of a disappointment to a home vegetable gardener than discovering that their prized tomato plants are full of catfaced tomatoes. These tomatoes, marked by their unconventional and ugly appearance, have long intrigued gardeners. Catfacing on tomatoes is a physiological disorder that affects the appearance of the fruit. This oddity of nature …
Growing tomatoes is a popular summertime experience, but things don’t always go as expected! It’s time to troubleshoot some tomato plant problems. Millions of people in the US have a vegetable garden each year, and a large percentage of them grow tomatoes. It’s not hard to imagine their dismay if their tomato plants don’t grow …
There are many bell pepper colors but a prized shade is the red pepper. They are sweet, high in nutrients, and rich in antioxidants. Are you new to growing red peppers and find yourself wondering why your bell peppers don’t turn red? Join the club. Many of my vegetable garden readers ask me this same question. …
Have you ever wondered, “What is crop rotation?” Well, you are not alone. Many of my readers ask me this very question. Today we’ll be having a look at crop rotation in a vegetable garden and will learn why it is so important. This time-honored technique employed by farmers worldwide maximizes the yield in a …
Are you ready to try growing broccoli in your own garden? Contrary to what you may have read, it’s not a difficult vegetable to grow. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this article will provide you with valuable insights and practical tips for broccoli gardening. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll give you …
Now that summer is here, home vegetable gardeners are just starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor. A common question that I get from readers is “why are my cucumbers bitter?” Many also want to know if bitter garden cucumbers are safe to eat. Bitter cucumbers can stem from a combination of factors, particularly …
As a tomato enthusiast I know, firsthand, the frustration of discovering black spots on tomato leaves. There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of seeing those first ripe fruits, only to be disappointed by unsightly blemishes on the leaves. After encountering this problem in my own garden, I did some research and discovered the various causes …
Growing eggplant (also known as aubergine) can be a fun and rewarding experience for any gardener. Eggplant is a versatile and tasty vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a popular choice for home gardeners. If you’ve decided to grow eggplant in your vegetable garden this year, you’ll be pleased …
Even when I spend a lot of time and energy on my vegetable garden, I often encounter some problems that I wasn’t expecting. This year, I came across some tomato plant leaves curling for the first time. Walking around my garden, expecting to find a lush harvest of plump tomatoes, and discovering a plant with curled leaves …
I have been gardening for many years and my experience has taught me lots of tips and tricks for success. Today, I am sharing 22 vegetable garden mistakes to help anyone just starting out. Even though my first cucumber plant yielded me only a few cucumbers, I knew that vegetable gardening was for me and …
Many of us look forward to picking pumpkins for fall projects, recipes and decor. If you have planted and nurtured a crop of these vegetables, you likely have wondered when to harvest pumpkins. Depending on the variety, regular pumpkins and heirloom pumpkins normally take between 90 and 120 days from planting seed to maturity. Early …
For many gardeners, the promise of lush, red tomatoes is one of the highlights of summer. However, a common question that I get from readers is “why are my tomatoes splitting?” Cracked tomatoes can show up at any stage of the plants growth, either when green or ripe and red. No matter what time this …
Tomato bottom rot is a problem that many vegetable gardeners face. What causes that ugly black rot on tomatoes? There is nothing like biting into a lush, ripe garden tomato that you have spent months growing. Discovering those prize tomatoes with large rotten areas on them is no fun, though. However, sometimes those luscious tomatoes …
Do you have a problem with radishes not growing bulbs? This is a common issue in a vegetable garden. What causes this to happen? Radishes – raphanus sativus – have edible greens which can be used in salads, but the main reason they are grown is for their crunchy and spicy round root. Expecting to …
Yellow leaves on tomato plants can be caused by several reasons. Nutritional deficiencies, plant diseases, and even the way you water tomatoes can play a part. Getting the right answer for why there are yellow leaves on tomato plants in your garden requires lots of research and a bit of trial and error. Tomatoes are …